Week in Review: July 26, 2024 - with Shauna Sowersby
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Shauna Sowersby discuss: 🗳️ New statewide initiative qualifies 🔍 Gov candidates on transparency 📊 Polls, polls, polls 🤔 Crypto IE for Randall 👮 KC Jail resumes booking for drug use Downtown 💔 Remembering Matt Driscoll As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find today’s co-host, Shauna Sowersby at .
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Senator Rebecca Saldaña Fights for Environmental Justice and Warns of Ballot Threats
Hacks & Wonks
Washington State Senator Rebecca Saldaña discusses her fight to advance environmental justice in WA and warns of ballot initiatives that could devastate our climate crisis response and other progress. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Senator Rebecca Saldaña at .
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Week in Review: July 19, 2024 - with Robert Cruickshank
Hacks & Wonks
In this week-in-review: 🔥 Seattle cop fired ✅ Endorsement roundup in key races 📋 Polls for Governor & President 🗳️ Ballots are out w/ “I Voted” stickers 🤑 Realtor $ for Woo 🤖 AI bots for Woo on Reddit 🏘️ ADU construction boom As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter/X at and find today’s co-host, Robert Cruickshank at .
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Tariq Yusuf Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Tariq Yusuf joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss his policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Tariq Yusuf at .
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Week in Review: July 12, 2024 - with Erica Barnett
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Seattle political reporter, editor of PubliCola, and co-host of the Seattle Nice podcast, Erica Barnett! They discuss: Washington Supreme Court Upholds Lacey RV Parking Ban Hilary Franz Campaign Controversy King County Leaders Launch 100 Days of Action Against Gun Violence Seattle PayUp Minimum Wage Repeal Legislation Stalls Seattle Audit on Reducing Overdoses and Drug-Related Crime Seattle Police Deputy Chief Controversy Seattle Transportation Levy Heads to November Ballot As always, a full text transcript of the show is available...
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Alexis Mercedes Rinck Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Alexis Mercedes Rinck joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss her policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Alexis Mercedes Rinck at .
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Saunatina Sanchez Discusses Key Issues in Seattle City Council Position 8 Race
Hacks & Wonks
Seattle City Council candidate Saunatina Sanchez joins Hacks & Wonks to discuss her policy priorities and vision for the city. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Saunatina Sanchez at .
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Patrick DePoe Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Race
Hacks & Wonks
Patrick DePoe, a former elected member of the Makah Tribal Council, current Director of Tribal Relations for the Department of Natural Resources and candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands, outlined his vision for managing the state's natural resources while emphasizing his unique professional and lived experience. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Patrick DePoe at .
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Week in Review: June 28, 2024 - with Rian Watt
Hacks & Wonks
On this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Senior Advisor at The Urbanist and Executive Director of The Economic Opportunity Institute, Rian Watt! They discuss: Washington State Democrats Pass Ceasefire Resolution Everett Herald Layoffs Spark Concerns Over Local News Coverage Seattle Social Housing Initiative Moves Forward Seattle Public Schools Faces Uncertainty Over School Closures Seattle City Council's Sidewalk Plan Falters Due to Funding Misunderstanding New Seattle City Council's Lack of Productivity Under Scrutiny As always, a full text transcript of the show is...
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Dave Upthegrove Discusses Key Issues in Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Race
Hacks & Wonks
Dave Upthegrove, a former legislator and current King County Councilmember and candidate for Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands, recently discussed his bid for the position, highlighting his priorities and outlining his vision for the future of the state's natural resources management. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at . Follow us on Twitter at . Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at and find Dave Upthegrove at .
info_outlineWeek in Review: Conservative Initiatives, Comprehensive Plan, and Ax Murderer Controversy
Conservative Initiatives Pass Democratic Legislature
In a surprising move, the Democratic-majority in the Washington state legislature passed three conservative ballot initiatives into law, bypassing the need for a public vote. The initiatives ban a state income tax, expand parental rights regarding instructional materials and student records in public schools, and give police broader authority for vehicular pursuits.
Barnett warned the parental rights measure could be wielded to out LGBTQ students: "It is outing trans kids, it is outing potentially gay and lesbian bisexual kids...it's a violation of the rights of privacy of children and teenagers."
The decision avoids a costly campaign battle, but Barnett questioned if it signals Democrats being "willing to negotiate instead of fight" well-funded opposition.
Mayor's Comprehensive Plan Faces Criticism
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed 20-year Comprehensive Plan allows for just 100,000 new housing units, despite projections that 250,000 more people will move to the city. Critics blasted this as woefully inadequate to address the affordable housing shortage.
Barnett called it "stunning in its lack of ambition" beyond mandated zoning changes. Fincher urged residents to attend public meetings and directly press the mayor's and councilmembers' offices, saying "They need to hear from you, their constituents."
Revelation of Ax Attacks on Homeless People Raises Concerns
Weeks after a suspect's arrest, Seattle police admitted they withheld information about horrific ax attacks targeting the city's homeless population. The lack of public warning sparked outrage.
Barnett speculated police view such crimes against the unhoused as "not affect[ing] the general public." Fincher condemned the "dehumanizing conversations and rhetoric...about visible street homelessness" that enable such violence.
Both hosts emphasized the need for accountability and citizen engagement from Seattle's elected leaders on these intersecting crises around housing, public safety and inequality.
As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.
Find the host, Crystal Fincher, on Twitter at @finchfrii and find today’s co-host, Erica Barnett, at @ericacbarnett.
Resources
Executive Dow Constantine Details How King County Tackles the Homelessness Crisis Through Housing Solutions from Hacks & Wonks
“Why we are voting to pass WA’s parental-rights initiative” by Jamie Pedersen and Laurie Jinkins for The Seattle Times
“LGBTQ Advocates Are Ready to Fight the Parents’ Bill of Rights” by Vivan McCall from The Stranger
“First-of-its-kind database: Majority of people killed in police chases aren’t the fleeing drivers” by Susie Neilson, Jennifer Gollan and Janie Haseman from The San Francisco Chronicle
“City Attorney Disqualifies Judge from Criminal Cases, Issues Traffic Ticket to Officer Who Killed Student With His SUV” from PubliCola
“Republican City Attorney Ann Davison Throws Municipal Court into Chaos” by Ashley Nerbovig from The Stranger
“The City Attorney’s Blanket “Affidavit of Prejudice” Policy Against Judge Vaddadi” by David Ziff from Ziff Blog
“Draft Comprehensive Plan Would Increase Housing Less Than Needed to Accommodate 250,000 New Residents” by Erica C. Barnett from PubliCola
“Seattle Releases Comprehensive Plan Less Ambitious Than Bellevue” by Doug Trumm from The Urbanist
“Mayor Harrell proposes housing density in every Seattle neighborhood” by David Kroman from The Seattle Times
One Seattle Plan Engagement Hub
“First Hill man arrested in ax murder as Seattle Police secretly searched for suspect preying on homeless — UPDATE” by Justin Carder from Capitol Hill Seattle Blog
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